Syringe with priming mechanism

ABSTRACT

Syringes are described herein. A syringe includes a syringe body, a first plunger, a biasing member, and a retention member. The syringe body defines a syringe cavity and a syringe port, wherein the syringe port is in fluid communication with the syringe cavity. The first plunger comprises a first plunger shaft extending from the first plunger, the first plunger disposed within the syringe cavity and defining a first chamber in the syringe cavity, wherein the first chamber is in fluid communication with the syringe port. The biasing member is coupled to the first plunger shaft, wherein the biasing member urges the first plunger to advance toward the syringe port. The retention mechanism prevents the biasing member from advancing the first plunger in an engaged position and permits the biasing member to advance the first plunger in a released position.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/403,406, filed May 3, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to medication delivery systems,and, in particular, to syringes.

BACKGROUND

Medical treatments often include the infusion of a medical fluid (e.g.,a saline solution or a liquid medication) to patients using anintravenous (IV) catheter that is connected though an arrangement offlexible tubing and fittings, commonly referred to as an “IV set,” to asource of fluid, for example, a syringe. Certain configurations of IVsets may have extended lengths of tubing, for example, in excess of 6feet. Additionally, tubing may be primed with saline prior to theinfusion of a liquid medication.

In some applications, during the use of IV catheters, saline from thepriming process may be delivered to patient before the liquid medicationis delivered to the patient.

SUMMARY

The disclosed subject matter relates to a syringe. In certainembodiments, a syringe is disclosed that comprises a syringe bodydefining a syringe cavity and a syringe port, wherein the syringe portis in fluid communication with the syringe cavity; a first plungercomprising a first plunger shaft extending from the first plunger, thefirst plunger disposed within the syringe cavity and defining a firstchamber in the syringe cavity, wherein the first chamber is in fluidcommunication with the syringe port; a biasing member coupled to thefirst plunger shaft, wherein the biasing member urges the first plungerto advance toward the syringe port; and a retention mechanism releasablycoupling the first plunger shaft to the syringe body, wherein theretention mechanism prevents the biasing member from advancing the firstplunger in an engaged position and permits the biasing member to advancethe first plunger in a released position.

In certain embodiments, a medication delivery system is disclosed thatcomprises a syringe, comprising: a syringe body defining a syringecavity and a syringe port, wherein the syringe port is in fluidcommunication with the syringe cavity; a first plunger comprising afirst plunger shaft extending from the first plunger, the first plungerdisposed within the syringe cavity and defining a first chamber in thesyringe cavity, wherein the first chamber is in fluid communication withthe syringe port; a biasing member coupled to the first plunger shaft,wherein the biasing member urges the first plunger to advance toward thesyringe port; and a retention mechanism releasably coupling the firstplunger shaft to the syringe body, wherein the retention mechanismprevents the biasing member from advancing the first plunger in anengaged position and permits the biasing member to advance the firstplunger in a released position; and a tubing in fluid communication withthe syringe port and a catheter.

In certain embodiments, a method to deliver medication is disclosed thatcomprises advancing a plunger disposed within a syringe via a biasingmember, wherein the plunger defines a chamber within the syringe;directing medication from the chamber into a tubing, wherein the tubingextends from the syringe to a catheter and defining a tubing volume; andadvancing the plunger a predetermined displacement to introduce apredetermined volume of medication equivalent to the tubing volume intothe tubing.

It is understood that various configurations of the subject technologywill become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from thedisclosure, wherein various configurations of the subject technology areshown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, thesubject technology is capable of other and different configurations andits several details are capable of modification in various otherrespects, all without departing from the scope of the subjecttechnology. Accordingly, the summary, drawings and detailed descriptionare to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide furtherunderstanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of thisspecification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with thedescription serve to explain the principles of the disclosedembodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medication delivery system, inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the medication delivery system of FIG. 1with the priming trigger removed, in accordance with various aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the medication delivery system of FIG. 1with the syringe actuated, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the medication delivery system of FIG. 1with the syringe actuated, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a syringe with the syringe body hidden,in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the syringe of FIG. 5 , inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the syringe of FIG. 5 with the syringebody hidden and the priming trigger removed, in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the syringe of FIG. 5 with the syringebody hidden and the priming mechanism actuated, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the syringe of FIG. 5 with the syringebody hidden and the syringe actuated, in accordance with various aspectsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a syringe with the syringe body hidden,in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an actuation lever of a syringe withthe syringe body hidden, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the syringe of FIG. 11 with the syringebody hidden and the actuation lever in a released position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed syringe incorporates a biasing member to advance a plungerto simplify and/or automate priming a medication delivery system withmedical fluids. The biasing member can advance a plunger within thesyringe to introduce medical fluid into a tubing. The biasing member canbe energized and retained to allow priming at a desired time. Byadvancing the plunger with the biasing member, a desired amount ofmedical fluid can be quickly introduced into the medication deliverysystem.

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofvarious configurations of the subject technology and is not intended torepresent the only configurations in which the subject technology may bepracticed. The detailed description includes specific details for thepurpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology.However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that thesubject technology may be practiced without these specific details. Insome instances, well-known structures and components are shown in blockdiagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subjecttechnology. Like components are labeled with identical element numbersfor ease of understanding. Reference numbers may have letter suffixesappended to indicate separate instances of a common element while beingreferred to generically by the same number without a suffix letter.

While the following description is directed to the administration ofmedical fluid using the disclosed syringe, it is to be understood thatthis description is only an example of usage and does not limit thescope of the claims. Various aspects of the disclosed syringe may beused in any application where it is desirable to control the flow ofmedical fluids.

The disclosed syringe overcomes several challenges discovered withrespect to certain conventional syringes. One challenge with certainconventional syringes is that syringes may deliver excess medical fluid,such as saline, to patients. Further, conventional syringes may notallow precise administration of medical fluid for priming. Becauseexcess medical fluid may delay the delivery of medical fluids, alterdosage of medication, and may not be tolerated by fluid restrictedpatients, such as premature babies the use conventional syringes isundesirable.

Therefore, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is advantageousto provide a syringe as described herein that simplifies theadministration of medical fluids during priming and eliminates orsubstantially reduces delivering excess medical fluid to a patient. Thedisclosed syringe provides biasing member that facilitates priming IVtubing with medication while minimizing excess fluid delivered to apatient.

An example of a syringe that facilitates priming IV tubing and preventsdelivery of excess medical fluid is now described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medication delivery system 100, inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. In theillustrated example, the medication delivery system 100 deliversmedication from the syringe 130 to the patient via a catheter 112without delivering excess fluid, such as saline, used to prime themedication delivery system 100.

In some embodiments, a medication flow path within a dual lumen tubing120 can be primed with saline to remove any air or trapped gasses withinthe medication flow path of the dual lumen tubing 120. Saline can beadvanced from a proximal end 132 of the syringe 130, through themedication flow path of the dual lumen tubing 120 and to the valve 110.

The saline from the medication flow path of the dual lumen tubing 120can be received by the medication flow path 111 of the valve 110. In apriming configuration, a valve element 113 can prevent saline from themedication flow path 111 from entering the patient catheter 112 and caninstead direct the saline toward the return flow path 109 of the valve110 to allow primed saline to be returned to the syringe 130 via thereturn flow path of the dual lumen tubing 120.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the medication delivery system 100 ofFIG. 1 with the priming trigger 180 removed, in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, thesyringe 130 advances medication within the medication flow path of thedual lumen tubing 120 to prime the medication flow path of the duallumen tubing 120. Advantageously, by priming the medication flow pathwith medication, the medication can be delivered to the patient via thecatheter 112 proximal to the patient with less delay and withoutdelivering the saline used to prime the medication flow path of the duallumen tubing 120.

To introduce medication into the medication flow path of the dual lumentubing 120, the medication plunger within the syringe 130 can beadvanced or otherwise displaced to introduce a volume of medication intothe medication flow path of the dual lumen tubing 120. Optionally, themedication plunger of the syringe 130 can be configured to be advancedor displaced a desired amount to dispense a volume of medication intothe medication flow path of the dual lumen tubing 120 that is equivalentto the volume of the medication flow path of the dual lumen tubing 120.In other words, medication plunger of the syringe 130 can be advanced tofill the volume of the medication flow path of the dual lumen tubing 120up to the valve element 113 to prime the medication for administrationvia the catheter 112.

In some embodiments, the priming of medication into the medication flowpath of the dual lumen tubing 120 can be automated or otherwisesimplified. For example, the medication plunger can be biased to beadvanced to introduce medication into the medication flow path of thedual lumen tubing 120. The biasing member of the priming mechanismwithin the syringe 130 can be released by removing the priming trigger180. By removing the priming trigger 180, the biasing member can advancethe medication plunger to prime the medication within the medicationdelivery system 100. Optionally, the priming travel of the medicationplunger can be stopped or limited by a priming stop 182. By limiting thetravel of the medication plunger during priming, a desired volume ofmedication can be introduced into the medication flow path of the duallumen tubing 120, for example, sufficient medication volume to fill themedication flow path of the dual lumen tubing 120.

As illustrated, as the medication is introduced into the medication flowpath of the dual lumen tubing 120, the saline previously primed throughthe dual lumen tubing 120 is displaced. The displaced saline is directedby the valve element 113 through the return flow path 109 of the valve110 and into the return flow path of the dual lumen tubing 120.

Medical fluid from the return flow path of the dual lumen tubing 120 canbe returned into the syringe 130. Returned medical fluid such as salinecan be introduced into a return or saline chamber of the syringe 130.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the medication delivery system 100 ofFIG. 1 with the syringe 130 actuated, in accordance with various aspectsof the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the syringe 130is actuated to dispense medication to the patient through the catheter112.

As illustrated, the distal end 134 of the syringe 130 can be advancedtoward the proximal end 132 of the syringe 130 to actuate the medicationplunger within the syringe 130. By actuating the syringe 130, themedication plunger can be advanced to deliver medication from thesyringe 130 into the medication flow path of the dual lumen tubing 120.In some embodiments, the syringe 130 can be actuated by a syringe pumpto control the flow of medication to the patient.

During operation, the valve 110 is actuated to permit the flow ofmedication from the medication flow path 111 of the valve 110 to thepatient via the catheter 112. In some embodiments, the valve element 113is actuated to permit fluid communication between the medication flowpath 111 and the catheter 112 to allow medication to flow to thepatient. Optionally, the valve 110 can be located proximal to thepatient to minimize the length of the catheter 112, reduce the amount ofsaline administered to the patient, and reduce the delivery time for themedication.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the medication delivery system 100 ofFIG. 1 with the syringe 130 actuated, in accordance with various aspectsof the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the syringe 130advances saline through the medication flow path of the dual lumentubing 120 to advance the remaining medication to the patient via thecatheter 112.

As illustrated, after the medication is expelled from the syringe 130,medication may remain in the volume of the medication flow path of thedual lumen tubing 120. To ensure that the medication is fully deliveredto the patient, the syringe 130 can be utilized to administer a saline“push” to continue to advance the medication through the medication flowpath of the dual lumen tubing 120 after the medication within thesyringe 130 is exhausted. Optionally, saline can be administered throughthe medication flow path until the medication is fully administered tothe patient.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a syringe 230 with the syringe bodyhidden, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Inthe figures, similar features may be referred to with similar referencenumerals. In the depicted example, the syringe 230 can be utilized todispense medication and/or saline through a tubing coupled to thesyringe port 229 of the syringe 230. As illustrated, the syringe 230 canreceive, store, and/or dispense medication and/or saline in chambersdefined therein.

As illustrated, the proximal syringe portion 231 of the syringe 230 canstore medical fluids such as medication and saline in a syringe cavity236. In the illustrated embodiment, the medication plunger 240 ismovable within the syringe cavity 236 to define a medication chamber 242within the proximal syringe portion 231. Optionally, the volume of themedication chamber 242 is defined by the position of the medicationplunger 240 relative to the proximal end 232 of the syringe 230. In thedepicted example, the medication chamber 242 can store medication.

In some embodiments, the medication chamber 242 is in fluidcommunication with the syringe port 229 of the syringe 230. Optionally,the medication plunger 240 can include one or more seals 244 to sealagainst the walls of the syringe cavity 236 to prevent unintended fluidmigration or mixing.

Further, the medication plunger 240 can be moved by the medicationplunger shaft 246. In some embodiments, the medication plunger 240 canbe drawn distally to expand the medication chamber 242 and draw in moremedication or medical fluid through the syringe port 229. In someembodiments, the medication plunger 240 can be advanced proximally tocontract the medication chamber 242 and expel medication or medicalfluid from the medication chamber 242 through the syringe port 229.

In the illustrated embodiment, the saline plunger 250 is movable withinthe syringe cavity 236 to define a saline chamber 252 within theproximal syringe portion 231. In some embodiments, the saline plunger250 and the medication plunger 240 cooperatively define the salinechamber 252 within the syringe cavity 236. Optionally, the volume of thesaline chamber 252 is defined by the position of the medication plunger240 and the saline plunger 250. In the depicted example, the salinechamber 252 can store saline or other medical fluids.

Optionally, the saline plunger 250 can include one or more seals 254 toseal against the walls of the syringe cavity 236 to prevent unintendedfluid migration or mixing.

Further, the saline plunger 250 can be moved by the saline plunger shaft256. In some embodiments, the saline plunger 250 can be drawn distallyto expand the saline chamber 252 and draw in more saline or medicalfluid. In some embodiments, the saline plunger 250 can be advancedproximally to contract the saline chamber 252 and expel saline ormedical fluid from the saline chamber 252.

As previously described, during the administration of medication topatients, for example, fluid restricted patients, medication can bedispensed from the medication chamber 242 and then saline can bedispensed from the saline chamber 252 to advance the medicationremaining in the tubing.

In the depicted example, medication can be dispensed from the syringe230 by advancing the medication plunger 240 within the syringe cavity236. As a result, medication can be delivered from the syringe 230through the syringe port 229.

In some embodiments, the syringe 230 can include a priming mechanism oractuation mechanism 270 to automate, control, or otherwise simplifyadvancement of the medication plunger 240 to facilitate the priming ofmedication into an IV tubing. Optionally, the actuation mechanism 270can be configured to introduce a sufficient volume of medication fromthe medication chamber 242 into the IV tubing to fully fill or prime theIV line prior to administration of the medication to the patient.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation mechanism 270 can utilize abiasing member such as a tension spring 274 to advance the medicationplunger 240 within the syringe cavity 236.

Optionally, the tension spring 274 can be coupled to the proximalsyringe portion 231 at the proximal end 276 of the tension spring 274and coupled to the actuation mechanism 270 at the distal end 275 of thetension spring 274. In some embodiments, the actuation mechanism 270extends from, or is generally coupled to the medication plunger shaft246. Further, the tension spring 274 can be disposed around themedication plunger shaft 246.

As illustrated, the tension spring 274 can be preloaded or biased tofacilitate advancement of the medication plunger 240 upon release oractivation of the tension spring 274. In the depicted example, thetension spring 274 can be extended or biased from a resting length to anelongated tensioned length. In some embodiments, a biasing member can becompressed from a resting length to a shortened compressed length.

As illustrated, the tension spring 274 can be preloaded or elongated byretracting the actuation mechanism 270, which extends the tension spring274. In some embodiments, the actuation mechanism 270 can be locked orretained in place, preventing the medication plunger 240 from beingadvanced prior to priming by a retention mechanism. In the illustratedembodiment, the retention mechanism includes a priming trigger 280 witha shaft 282 that extends through the distal syringe portion 233 andthrough the through hole 272 of the actuation mechanism 270, releasablycoupling the actuation mechanism 270 to the distal syringe portion 233.The priming trigger 280 can extend through slot 284 of the distalsyringe portion 233.

Optionally, the tension applied to the tension spring 274 can beadjusted by altering the position of the actuation mechanism 270relative to the distal syringe portion 233 and inserting the primingtrigger 280 through a slot 284 aligned with the through hole 272 of theactuation mechanism 270.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the syringe 230 of FIG. 5 ,in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Withreference to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the syringe 230 can optionally include apriming mechanism that disengages after the priming process tofacilitate further operation of the syringe 230, such as actuating themedication plunger 240 and the saline plunger 250.

For example, the actuation mechanism 270 can include a release mechanismthat releasably couples the tension spring 274 to the actuationmechanism 270 such that the tension spring 274 is released from theactuation mechanism 270 after the priming process, permitting actuationof the medication plunger 240 and/or the saline plunger 250 withoutresistance from the tension spring 274. In the illustrated embodiment,the tension spring 274 can be releasably coupled to the actuationmechanism 270 with a rotatable over-centering cam 260.

In the depicted example, the rotatable over-centering cam 260 is coupledto the release body 278 of the actuation mechanism 270 on a pivot 264extending through the over-centering cam 260, permitting theover-centering cam 260 to rotate. As described herein, theover-centering cam 260 is rotatable between an attached position normalto the wall of the distal syringe portion 233 and a decoupled positionrotated away from the wall of the distal syringe portion 233. Duringoperation, the over-centering cam 260 can keep the distal end 275 of thetension spring 274 coupled to the actuation mechanism 270 in theattached position, and can release the distal end 275 of the tensionspring 274 from the actuation mechanism 270 by rotating to the decoupledposition.

As illustrated, the activation tang 262 of the over-centering cam 260can extend through the activation slot 268 to align the over-centeringcam 260 in the attached position. The activation tang 262 can extendthrough the activation slot 268 when the tension spring 274 is extendedor preloaded, permitting the tension spring 274 to exert force on theactuation mechanism 270 during priming.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the syringe 230 of FIG. 5 with thesyringe body hidden and the priming trigger 280 removed, in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure. As illustrated, thepriming mechanism of the syringe 230 can be activated by removing thepriming trigger 280 from the syringe 230.

By removing the priming trigger 280, the tension spring 274 is allowedto contract to advance the medication plunger shaft 246 and in turn, themedication plunger 240. By advancing the medication plunger 240,medication within the medication chamber 242 can advance through the IVtubing and prime the IV tubing. As described herein, the medicationplunger 240 can be advanced by a desired or predetermined amountcorresponding to the IV tubing volume during the priming process.

Optionally, as the actuation mechanism 270 is advanced, theover-centering cam 260 can be moved out of the activation slot 268.During priming, the activation tang 262 can be rotated by the edge ofthe activation slot 268, rotating the over-centering cam 260 into adecoupled position, allowing the distal end 275 of the tension spring274 to be released as the actuation mechanism 270 and the activationbody 278 advance toward the proximal end 232.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the syringe 230 of FIG. 5 with thesyringe body hidden and the priming mechanism actuated, in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure. In the illustratedembodiment, the medication plunger 240 can be further actuated toadminister any remaining medication in the medication chamber 242 intothe IV tubing and to the patient. In some embodiments, the medicationplunger shaft 246 can be actuated to advance the medication plunger 240.For example, the distal end 234 of the distal syringe portion 233 can beadvanced toward the proximal end 232 to advance the medication plunger240. In some embodiments, the extensions 238 of the proximal syringeportion 231 can allow a clinician or a syringe pump to advance thedistal syringe portion 233 relative to the proximal syringe portion 231.

Advantageously, by disengaging the tension spring 274 from themedication plunger shaft 246, the medication plunger 240 can be advancedwithout compressing, extending, or otherwise exerting force against thetension spring 274.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the syringe 230 of FIG. 5 with thesyringe body hidden and the syringe actuated, in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, thesaline plunger 250 can be actuated to administer saline from the salinechamber 252 into the IV tubing to “push” or deliver any remainingmedication in the IV tubing to the patient. In some embodiments, thesaline plunger shaft 256 can be actuated to advance the saline plunger250. In some embodiments, the same actuation method for the medicationplunger 240 can be utilized for actuating the saline plunger 250.

For example, the distal end 234 of the distal syringe portion 233 can beadvanced toward the proximal end 232 to advance the saline plunger 250.In some embodiments, the extensions 238 of the proximal syringe portion231 can allow a clinician or a syringe pump to advance the distalsyringe portion 233 relative to the proximal syringe portion 231.

In some embodiments, saline from the saline chamber 252 can be advancedthrough or around the medication chamber 242 to exit the syringe 230 viathe syringe port 229.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a syringe 430 with the syringe bodyhidden, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the syringe 430 includes a priming mechanismto automate, control, or otherwise simplify advancement of themedication plunger 440 to facilitate priming of medication into the IVtubing.

For example, the priming mechanism can utilize a biasing member such asa spring 474 to advance the medication plunger 440 within the syringecavity 436. The spring 474 can be disposed between an actuation body 478at a proximal end and a spring cap 486 at a distal end. In someembodiments, the actuation body 478 is coupled to the medication plungershaft 446.

As illustrated, the spring 474 can be preloaded, biased, or energized tofacilitate advancement of the medication plunger 440 upon release oractivation of the spring 474. In the depicted example, the spring 474can be compressed from a resting length to a shortened compressedlength. For example, the spring 474 can be compressed between theactuation body 478 and the spring cap 486.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spring 474 can be retained in anenergized state to prevent the medication plunger 440 from beingadvanced prior to priming by the priming trigger 480. The primingtrigger 480 can include extensions 481 extending through the distalsyringe portion 433, releasably coupling the actuation body 478 to thedistal syringe portion 433. Therefore, when inserted, the primingtrigger 480 creates a barrier preventing actuation body 478 fromadvancing proximally and advancing the medication plunger 440.

Optionally, the amount of compression applied to the spring 474 can beadjusted by altering the position of the actuation body 478 relative tothe spring cap 486. The priming trigger 480 can be inserted through oneof the plurality of slots 484 to retain the actuation body 478corresponding to the desired amount of compression for the spring 474.Advantageously, by adjusting the amount of compression applied to thespring 474 the speed of priming operations can be modified.

During operation, the priming mechanism of the syringe 430 can beactivated by removing the priming trigger 480 from the syringe 430. Byremoving the priming trigger 480, the spring 474 is allowed to expand toadvance the actuation body 478, and in turn the medication plunger shaft446 and the medication plunger 440. By advancing the medication plunger440, the medication within the medication chamber 442 can advancethrough the IV tubing and prime the IV tubing.

Optionally, the displacement of the medication plunger 440 duringpriming may be limited to control the amount or volume of medicationdelivered during priming. For example, a limit stop 482 can extendthrough the distal syringe portion 433 to create a barrier preventingthe actuation body 478 from advancing proximally further than desired,limiting the advancement of the medication plunger 440. The position ofthe limit stop 482, and therefore the fluid displacement during priming,can be adjusted by inserting the limit stop 482 in one of a plurality ofslots 484.

In some embodiments, the limit stop 482 can be positioned to permit themedication plunger 440 to advance or displace a desired amount todispense a volume of medication into the IV tubing. Optionally, thedisplacement of the medication plunger 440 can be configured to beequivalent to the volume of the desired flow path coupled to the syringe430. In other words, the limit stop 482 can be positioned to permit themedication plunger 440 to fill the volume of the flow path of the IVtubing coupled to the syringe 430 to prime the medication foradministration.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an actuation lever 572 of a syringe 530with the syringe body hidden, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the syringe 530includes an actuation lever 572 to control the energizing and activationof the priming mechanism of the syringe 530.

Similar to syringe 230, in the illustrated embodiment, the actuationmechanism 570 can utilize a biasing member such as a tension spring 574to advance the medication plunger within the syringe 530. In thedepicted example, the tension spring 574 can be coupled to the actuationmechanism 570 at the distal end of the tension spring 574.

In the depicted example, the actuation lever 572 provides an interfaceto preload or bias the tension spring 574. As illustrated, the actuationlever 572 is coupled to the actuation mechanism 570 and the actuationbody 578. Therefore, the actuation lever 572 can be retracted distallywithin the priming slot 580 to extend or bias the tension spring 574.

Optionally, the actuation mechanism 570 can be locked to prevent themedication plunger from being advanced prior to priming. In theillustrated embodiment, the actuation mechanism 570 is retained byrotating the actuation lever 572 into the retention slot 582. Byrotating the actuation lever 572 into the retention slot 582, theproximal edge of the of the retention slot 582 prevents the actuationlever 572, and in turn the actuation mechanism 570 from advancingproximally and dispensing medication. In the illustrated embodiment, theretention slot 582 is generally perpendicular to the priming slot 580.

In some embodiments, the amount of tension applied to the tension spring574 can be adjusted by including multiple retention slots 582. Theactuation lever 572 may be rotated into one of multiple retention slots582 to adjust the preload exerted upon the tension spring 574.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the syringe 530 of FIG. 11 with thesyringe body hidden and the actuation lever 572 in a released position.As illustrated, the priming mechanism of the syringe 530 can beactivated by rotating the actuation lever 572 out of the retention slot582 and into the priming slot 580. By rotating the actuation lever 572into the priming slot 580, the tension spring 574 is allowed to advancethe medication plunger to prime the IV tubing.

Optionally, the displacement of the medication plunger during primingmay be limited by adjusting the length of the priming slot 580. Theproximal edge of the priming slot 580 creates a barrier preventing theactuation lever 572 from advancing proximally further than desired,limiting the advancement of the medication plunger. The position of theproximal edge of the priming slot 580, and therefore the fluiddisplacement during priming, can be adjusted as desired.

In some embodiments, the retention slot 582 can display a visualindicator to allow clinicians to determine the status of the primingoperation of the syringe 530. For example, if the priming operation hasnot yet been completed, the syringe 530 can display a priming incompleteindicator (e.g. a red indicator) through the retention slot 582,informing the clinician that a priming operation has not been completed.After priming has been completed, the priming incomplete indicator mayno longer be displayed through the retention slot 582. In someapplications, after the priming operation is completed, the syringe 530can display a priming complete indicator (e.g. a green indicator)through the retention slot 582 to indicate the clinician that priminghas been completed. Advantageously, by allowing the syringe 530 todisplay the priming operation status, the clinician activate the syringepump after the priming operation, which may prevent the inadvertentadministration of saline to the patient.

The present disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. The disclosureprovides various examples of the subject technology, and the subjecttechnology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications tothese aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, andthe generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “oneand only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.”Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one ormore. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine andneuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings andsubheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit theinvention.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example orillustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” isnot necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects or designs. In one aspect, various alternative configurationsand operations described herein may be considered to be at leastequivalent.

A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect isessential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to allconfigurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to anaspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations.An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspectmay refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an“embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to thesubject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurationsof the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment mayapply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment mayprovide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer toone or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a“configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential tothe subject technology or that such configuration applies to allconfigurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to aconfiguration may apply to all configurations, or one or moreconfigurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. Aphrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations andvice versa.

In one aspect, unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values,ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that areset forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow,are approximate, not exact. In one aspect, they are intended to have areasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which theyrelate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

In one aspect, the term “coupled” or the like may refer to beingdirectly coupled. In another aspect, the term “coupled” or the like mayrefer to being indirectly coupled.

Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear” and the like if used inthis disclosure should be understood as referring to an arbitrary frameof reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame ofreference. Thus, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and arear surface may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, orhorizontally in a gravitational frame of reference.

Various items may be arranged differently (e.g., arranged in a differentorder, or partitioned in a different way) all without departing from thescope of the subject technology. All structural and functionalequivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughoutthis disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those ofordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by referenceand are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothingdisclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claimelement is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112,sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using thephrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element isrecited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that theterm “include,” “have,” or the like is used, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” isinterpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

The Title, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings andAbstract of the disclosure are hereby incorporated into the disclosureand are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not asrestrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding thatthey will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Inaddition, in the Detailed Description, it can be seen that thedescription provides illustrative examples and the various features aregrouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The followingclaims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with eachclaim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects describedherein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with thelanguage claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding,none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails tosatisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 101, 102, or 103, nor should theybe interpreted in such a way.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method to deliver medication, the methodcomprising: advancing a plunger disposed within a syringe via a biasingmember, wherein the plunger defines a chamber within the syringe;directing medication from the chamber into a tubing, wherein the tubingextends from the syringe to a catheter and defining a tubing volume; andadvancing the plunger a predetermined displacement to introduce apredetermined volume of medication equivalent to the tubing volume intothe tubing.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: retaining thebiasing member in a compressed state; and releasing the biasing memberto permit the biasing member to expand to advance the plunger.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the biasing member is urged against a springcap in the compressed state.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: retaining the biasing member in an extended state; andreleasing the biasing member to permit the biasing member to retract toadvance the plunger.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprisingcoupling a priming trigger to the syringe to retain the biasing memberin an energized state.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprisingremoving the priming trigger from the syringe to permit the biasingmember to advance the plunger.
 7. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising limiting advancement of the plunger via a priming stop afterremoving the priming trigger.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising positioning the priming stop in one of a plurality of slotsof the syringe to adjust the predetermined displacement of the plunger.9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: rotating an actuationlever into a retention slot of the syringe; and retaining the biasingmember in an energized state via the actuation lever.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising: rotating the actuation lever out of theretention slot; and rotating the actuation lever into a priming slot ofthe syringe to permit the biasing member to advance the plunger.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising coupling the biasing member to thesyringe.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising rotating a camcoupled to the syringe to a first rotational position to couple thebiasing member to the syringe.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising rotating the cam to a second rotational position to decouplethe biasing member from the syringe.
 14. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising positioning an activation tang coupled to the cam in anactivation slot of the syringe to align the cam to the first rotationalposition.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising displacing theactivation tang out of the activation slot to rotate the cam to a secondrotational position and decouple the biasing member from the syringe.16. The method of claim 12, further comprising rotating the cam relativeto a pivot component.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the camcomprises an over-centering cam.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein thesyringe comprises a syringe body defining a syringe cavity and syringeport, and the syringe port is in fluid communication with the syringecavity.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the plunger comprises aplunger shaft extending from the plunger.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the biasing member is coupled to the plunger shaft.